On This Day... in 1886, The Statue of Liberty Was Born

Standing strongly and proudly in the New York Harbor, this American woman has been the icon for liberty and freedom since 1886 -- The Statue of Liberty.

Designed by Frederic Bartholdi, modeled after the Roman Goddess of Liberty, and completed in pieces, she was sent as a gift from the people of France. Just like many of our MAKERS, she has gone through a lot and is still standing. She has weathered storms, lightning, a suicide, corosion, yet still has greeted many immigrants arriving to this country through Ellis Island with grace and strength.

On her 126th birthday, she will reopen to the public after being closed for renovations.

In honor of her birthday, here is MAKER and Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg reminding us just how lucky American women are.